Perhaps no position group on the Air Force hockey roster will be as much under the microscope as the team’s defensemen.
Yes, the Falcons emphasize team defensive play as much as any program, and the forwards carry heavy responsibilities in that model. But Air Force graduated three every situation blue liners who were the focal point of the entire team a season ago.
How a young group develops will have a big say in how the Falcons’ season plays out. With that in mind, we take a closer look at the Air Force defense corps in part 2 of our 2021-22 season preview.
MORE SEASON PREVIEWS
Who’s back
So. Sam Brennan: He stepped right into the lineup as a freshman and saw some power-play time. His role likely will expand this season. He once scored 30 points in junior.
Jr. Brandon Koch: He’s finished second and third on the team in points during his first few seasons. Third-team all-AHA as a freshman, his upside is immense. He’s played the most games of any defenseman on the roster, and he will be crucial to the Falcons’ success.
Jr. Andrew Kruse: Back on D after filling in at the injury-depleted forward ranks last season. Responsible defensively and tough.
So. Luke Robinson: Big (6-foot-3), steady and defensively responsible. Robinson played in every game, killed penalties and was named the team’s most improved player. He is a rock.
So. Luke Rowe: He, along with Kruse and Robinson, will keep opponents honest. Selected a co-captain despite not playing last season, the 6-1 Rowe was the team’s most improved player two seasons ago, when he went from barely playing to blue line fixture. He scored seven points in his final 19 games as a freshman.
Jr. Dalton Weigel: A very heady player, his game reminds at times of Alex Mehert‘s – solid defensively but with very good offensive instincts. He should play more and is a good bet to score more.
Who’s new
Mitchell Digby: The 5-foot-11 Digby put up big numbers with Lone Star of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) the past two seasons, including 32 points (10 goals) in 52 games last season. The Michigan native was on the Falcons’ radar for a while, committing midway through his first junior campaign in December 2019.
Jasper Lester: A longtime Colorado Rampage player growing up, Lester was a consistent point producer for Fairbanks in the NAHL. He had 23 points (seven goals) in 48 games last season and 27 and five the season before. He committed in September of 2019.
Drake Usher: Usher played parts of four seasons of junior hockey and was a late bloomer. After never scoring more than eight points in a season, he had 23, including eight goals, in 47 games last season for Wichita Falls (NAHL). The 6-1 California native committed in February.
Who’s gone
Noah Kim: He played just two games as a freshman and entered the transfer portal.
Jake Levin: Smart, steady and physical, Levin was a co-captain for the Falcons and played in every situation. Not a big scorer, he did possess a good shot and was money to hit double digits in points.
Alex Mehnert: Good defensive stick and, like Levin, positionally sound. An assistant captain who played every night and in every situation. Another double-digit scorer.
Zach Mirageas: At his best, the co-captain used his skating and instincts to create offense, and his speed and strength to disrupt opposing attacks. Never had fewer than 17 points in a season until his senior year.
The bottom line
This is a young group that seems to have a bit of everything skill wise. Koch has the potential to be one of AHA’s top defensemen. It also could be a fairly physical group. If players such as Brennan, Weigel and possibly Digby can consistently generate offense this has the potential to be a dangerous group by season’s end.
©First Line Editorial 2021
